On February 3, 2019 at approximately 9:37 a.m. on US 41 north of County Road (CR) 300 north a trooper observed a traffic violation and attempted to stop the vehicle.  The vehicle did not stop and the trooper pursued the vehicle until it became disabled and placed both the driver and passenger under arrest.

Trooper David Millburg was stationary in his fully marked police vehicle observing the traffic flow when he noticed a black 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse traveling southbound, appearing to be traveling faster than the speed limit. The vehicle tried to slow down but Trooper Millburg was able to get a reading on his RADAR exceeding the posted speed limit.

The trooper pulled out and started following the car and the vehicle continued to violate traffic infractions so he attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his emergency lights.  The Mitsubishi tried to accelerate and lose the trooper but was unsuccessful.  The trooper activated his siren and started to pursue the fleeing vehicle.  On Division Rd near CR 825 West is a railroad crossing that is a rough.  Trooper Millburg slowed down but the Mitsubishi continued at a high rate of speed and jumped the tracks.  Upon landing, it disabled the vehicle and the Mitsubishi came to a rest. 

Trooper Millburg came to a stop behind the vehicle and ordered the driver and passenger out of the vehicle.  Trooper Doug Feazel along with Probationary Trooper Tyler Turchi arrived on scene to assist in taking Mallory A. Heltsley, 30 of Princeton, IN and the passenger Jorge W. Dickenson, 27 of Milford, IL into custody.

Heltsley was arrested for:

• Resisting Law Enforcement Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana Class B Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated Class C Misdemeanor

Dickenson was arrested for:

• Possession of Marijuana Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia Class A Misdemeanor

Both were transported to the Warren County Jail in Williamsport.  Assisting at the scene was Beedle’s Wrecker Service.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On February 1, 2019 Deputy Huber conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg near the Sav-A-Lot. As he was conducting his investigation he made contact with the driver identified as Gregory Easterly. After speaking with Gregory Easterly he ran a check of the VIN on the vehicle and learned that the vehicle had been reported as stolen. Gregory Easterly, 38 of Deputy, Indiana was taken into custody and arrested for Auto Theft which is a Level 6 Felony. He was transported and secured at the Scott County Security Center.

On February 2, 2019 Sergeant Watterson observed a vehicle sitting at Pioneer Village at a very late hour after the business had closed. He made contact with the occupant identified as Jonathan Leonard Gilpin and began an investigation. It was found that Jonathan Gilpin had originally given a false name however eventually gave his correct name and identifiers. Jonathan Gilpin at one point in the investigation became uncooperative and actually grabbed Sergeant Waterson’s hand. Upon completing the investigation Jonathan Gilpin was found to be in possession of several different types of narcotics. Jonathan Gilpin, 27 of Seymour, Indiana was arrested and transported to the ScottCounty Security Center where he was charged with the following charges which consists of numerous Felonies and Misdemeanors:

-Possession of Methamphetamine -Possession of Cocaine Or Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug -False Informing -Maintaining A Common Nuisance -Resisting Law Enforcement -Possession of Paraphernalia -Dealing In Methamphetamine -Possession of a Schedule I, II, III, Or IV Controlled Substance

On February 3, 2019 while on routine patrol Deputy Coomer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near the Johnson Elementary School. The vehicle being operated by Jeremy S. Merritt did not stop for Deputy Coomer. Jeremy Merritt continued driving until reaching an address in Lexington Indiana. After finally stopping Jeremy Merritt refused to follow verbal commands triggering Sergeant Watterson to deploy his K-9 Cyrus for assistance. With the assistance of Cyrus Jeremy Merritt, 40 of Lexington, Indiana was taken into custody. Jeremy Merritt was transported to the Scott Memorial Hospital for evaluation of any wounds that might have been sustained from K-9 Cyrus. He was treated and released and then transported to the Scott County Security Center. Upon arrival Jeremy Merritt was charged with the following charges:

On February 4th, 2019 at approximately 10:15 p.m. an inmate at the Jackson County Jail attempted to escape the facility.

The incident occurred when Jail Officers were taking inmate Blaze Ayers, 28, to his holding cell from the indoor recreation area. Ayers’s holding cell was located in the book-in area of the jail. Upon arriving in the booking area, Ayers ran into a medical room and locked the door behind him.  Jail Officers went through an adjacent room and when they entered the medical room Ayers had made his way into the ceiling.

Jail Officers attempted to get Ayers to come down but he refused to comply. Ayers continued to crawl through the ceiling in an attempt to escape, causing damage to the ceiling in multiple areas of the booking area.

Ayers eventually fell through the ceiling and to the floor of the booking area. Upon falling Ayers still refused to comply with orders given, and he was subdued by Taser.

There is no estimate of the damage at this time.

Jackson County EMS responded to treat Ayers for minor injuries obtained during the escape attempt. Jackson County Deputy J.L. McElfresh is investigating the Escape attempt. Ayers has been charged with the following criminal offenses:

1.) Attempted Escape  Level 5 Felony

2.) Criminal Mischief Class A Misdemeanor

Ayers was being held at the Jackson County Jail on a Failure to Appear warrant. The original charge on the warrant was battery.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.  Deputy

McElfresh was assisted by Jackson County Jail Officers, Jackson County EMS, Brownstown Officer Blake McCrary, and Deputy Mitch Ray.

Yesterday, February 3^rd, shortly after 11:00 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on State Road 350 near State Road 129 in Ripley County that claimed the life of a Batesville, Indiana man.

The initial investigation by Trp. Korry Clark, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a gray 2003 Ford passenger car being driven by Jesse Norman, age 38, Batesville, Indiana was traveling eastbound on State Road 350, approaching State Road 129.  For an unknown reason, Norman’s vehicle left the north side of the roadway.  The vehicle struck a concrete culvert.  The vehicle then overturned before coming to a stop.

Norman sustained fatal injuries in the collision.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner’s Office.

Speed and alcoholic beverages are believed to be factors in the crash.  Toxicology results are pending at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Jesse Norman’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Ripley County Fire and EMS, and Ripley County Coroner’s Office.

Friday Indiana State Trooper Nate Adams served an arrest warrant on a Jefferson County, Indiana man on two felony charges as a result of a nine month investigation.

The investigation by Trp. Adams began in April 2018 when the Indiana State Police was notified that a three year old boy had been taken to King’s Daughter’s Hospital in Madison, Indiana with injuries that were sustained while in the custody of a caretaker. 

octors determined that the injuries sustained by the child were not accidental in nature.

During the course of the investigation, Trp. Adams determined that on multiple occasions in March and April 2018, the child returned home from the residence of Christian Chase, age 25, Madison, Indiana with injuries, including bruising to his face, head, and back. 

The investigation determined that Chase inflicted the injuries on the child while the child was in his custody.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Today, February 1, 2019, a warrant was issued for Christian Chase on charges of Battery on a Child Under 14 Years of Age, level 5 Felony, and Neglect of a Dependent, level 5 Felony.

Trp. Adams served the warrant on Chase at the Jefferson County Jail where Chase was already incarcerated on an unrelated charge.